got a question about a bull...

lasergrl · #21 09/20/12, 10:25 AM

The highlands Ive had have grown until 3 years of age, and many didnt breed until at least 2 years.

Bambitski · #22 09/20/12, 10:28 AM

Two of the girls are Charolais/Angus crosses the other one is a Charolais/Limousin cross.

PaulNKS · #23 09/20/12, 10:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bambitski

Two of the girls are Charolais/Angus crosses the other one is a Charolais/Limousin cross.

A Charolais/Angus cross is still going to be a smaller breed than a purebred Charolais and may be too small for a Charolais bull. The Charolais/Limousin cross will more likely be able to calve with ease.

Bambitski · #24 09/20/12, 10:39 AM

Oh, thank you. I really didn't realize that there was that much size difference between the two. I know that the girls mommas were the Angus though. The man we bought them from didn't have an Angus Bull with his cows.

SpaceCadet12364 · #25 09/20/12, 11:59 AM

Angus BW 50-80 lbs typically
Charolais BW 80-100
Limousin BW 75-95
Highlands 50-80
So if the Bull throws bigger than average calf cow can/will need assistance at birth.

Also since these are heifers you might want have a vet check if they are free martins and if they are you might want to put them in the freezer.

SpaceCadet12364 · #26 09/23/12, 09:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chixarecute

6 mos old is a bit young to do the job. It happens, but not frequently. He's not a teen ager yet. By 8 mos he may be showing interest, by 10 month will probably perform somewhat consistently.

And....with a bull that is much younger than your ladies, even if he is interested and able, they may NOT be. There may end up being a period that he would have to work to establish himself in the pecking order first, before some cows will allow him to do his "work".

Had that happen with our first bull, the head cow was more seasoned, and the others didnt seem to care. But she did. After he FINALLY won a session of headbutting/pushing around out in the pasture, about 9 months later...voila! She had her first calf from him.

Bambitski · #27 09/23/12, 02:46 PM

Well, now I am not sure what we will do with him. DH is almost assured that it may be a good idea to keep him around for a little longer. So, I guess feeding 2 bulls is in order for the winter.
Thank you all for so much information. I had heard of free martins, but it never crossed my mind that one of my girls could be one. I plan on calling the vet and seeing what I need to do to check my girls. One is a little bully at times, to the bulls as well as to other heifers out there.

BeeFree · #28 09/24/12, 07:42 PM

We have had Charolais bulls before, 2 to be exact and after losing some calfs and some of the mothers, we decide that Charolais was not for us. We tried a Herford and the mothers had the calfs good, but it seemed like it took forever for them to grow out, and they didn't bring as much when sold. Finally we started getting Angus bulls. Once in a blue moon we have a problem with calving, but not bad. We don't like to breed out heifers until they are near 2 yr old. It seems to take too much out of them if you breed them too soon. We had one angus bull, we never did find him breeding. Hubby got mad and sold him. He bought another bull. About 4 to 5 months later the cows started having calves. The bull he sold was shy and only done his thing when no one was watching. LOL